Pierce Hammock Panther proteges of Seminole SECME

Seminole SECME mentored their Panther proteges from Pierce Hammock Elementary School for the Olympiad on Wednesday, January 17th. Benson and Ryan worked with the boys Blue team, and Nicole and Shelby worked with the girls Gold team. Mr, Landstrom, Mrs. Meroney and Mrs. Carlson are all very proud of their SECME students.

2010 Engineers Week Celebration at FAU

Astronaut Steven R. Swanson, STS-119 mission specialist, gives a "thumb-up" signal while participating in a training session in one of the full-scale trainers in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Attired in a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit, Swanson is seated on the flight deck for a post insertion/de-orbit training session. Photo Credit: NASA

A special invitation to Palm Beach County High Schools!

Please join the FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science in celebrating Engineers Week 2010

Thursday, February 18th, 2010
9:30 am - 2:00 pm

Activities will include:

A presentation by NASA Astronaut and FAU Alumnus, Dr. Steve R. Swanson about his recent space mission STS-119
&
Engineers Week Celebration
• High School Banner competition
• Robotics demonstrations (by high school teams)
• “Green” industry displays
• Tours of the Solar Panels & Labs
• A showcase of FAU engineering student organizations
• Sponsored competitions and games
• Giveaways
• Free lunch
• And much, much more

Space is limited so sign-up early! Each high school group may bring up to 20 students and chaperones. Please note: only seniors may attend. As per Dr. Janis Andrews, West Area Superintendent for Palm Beach County Schools, "Currently your seniors can attend, it looks like you have 30 seniors and 20 spots so you will be able to fill your quota with your seniors." Get your permission slip and TLE from Mr. Landstrom in 5-107

Pierce Hammock Panthers proteges seek Seminole SECME mentors!

The Pierce Hammock SECME club needs your help. Seminole SECME students will mentor their Panther proteges for the Olympiad on Wednesday, February 20th. Meet Mr. Landstrom at Pierce Hammock Elementary after Seminole Ridge High School (or earlier, if you have OJT). Ask at the Front Desk for Mrs. Meriann Meroney or Mrs. Kelli Carlson. And wear your shirt if you have it!

2009-2010 VEX Clean Sweep

2009-2010 VEX Robotics Competition:
Clean Sweep

Challenge Description
VEX Clean Sweep is played on a 12'x12' square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one "red" and one "blue" – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver-controlled play.

The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent's alliance by moving as many balls as possible onto their side of the field and by "locking up" small balls in the triangular goals.

A bonus is awarded to the alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.



Game Details
There are a total of fifty (50) small balls, twenty-one (21) medium balls and two (2) large balls available as scoring objects in the game.

The field is divided down the center by an 11.5" tall lexan wall. This wall separates the two alliances of two robots onto opposite sides of the field. Each robot (no larger than 18"x18"x18" to start) begins a match on their side of the field touching the wall furthest from the center wall. There are four 18" high triangular goals attached to the wall which robots can place small balls into. There are two slots in the wall which robots can pass small balls through.

At the start of the match small & medium balls are positioned on the center wall, and around the field. Each alliance will have one large ball which must be introduced to the match with less than thirty seconds remaining.

Scoring
VEX Clean Sweep Action / VEX Clean Sweep Points

Each Small Ball Scored..............1 point
Each Small Ball Locked Up...........3 points
Each Medium Ball Scored.............5 points
Each Large Ball Scored.............10 points
Autonomous Period Bonus.............5 points

2010 VEX Robotics Competition - Clean Sweep

This year’s VEX robotics competition is Clean Sweep. The game is played on a 12 ft x 12 ft foam-mat, surrounded by a sheet-metal and lexan perimeter. The field is divided down the center by an 11.5” tall lexan wall. This wall separates the two alliances of 2 robots onto opposite sides of the field.

There are 4 triangular goals 18” high attached to the wall which robots can place small balls into. There are 2 slots in the wall which robots can roll balls through. The game is won by moving the most balls onto your opponent’s side of the field or into the goals.

February 20, 2010: inaugural Battle by the Bay VEX Qualifying Tournament
We're proud to announce the Berkeley RoboBucs, team #429, are hosting the inaugural Battle by the Bay VEX Qualifying Tournament. The competition will be held February 20, 2009 at Gills Hall of Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida.
http://robotevents.com/robot-competitions/vex-robotics-competition/berkeley-prep-vex-robotics-competition.html

March 13, 2010: inaugural Gainesville Florida VEX Robotics Competition.
We will be holding a full tournament playing the new VEX Clean Sweep game for the 2009/2010 season. In addition, teams will also be able to enter either or both of the Programming Skills and Robot Skills Challenges. The top teams from this tournament will also qualify for the 2010 VEX Robotics Competition World Championship
http://robotevents.com/robot-competitions/vex-robotics-competition/florida-vex-qualifier.html

March 27, 2010: first annual Georgia State SECME Vex Robotics Qualifier. This qualifier will be held on the Georgia Tech Campus in Atlanta GA and is open to all SECME participants.
http://robotevents.com/robot-competitions/vex-robotics-competition/secme-qualifier-ga-tech.html

June 19, 2010: first annual SECME VEX Robotics Championship.
This event will be held on the Clemnson University Campus in Clemson, SC and is open to all SECME participants.
http://robotevents.com/secme-championship-clemson-sc.html

By participating in the Clean Sweep season, students will develop skills in response to the challenges and obstacles which stand before them. Some problems are solved by individuals, while others are handled through interaction with their teammates and adult mentors. They cultivate life skills such as planning, brainstorming, collaboration, teamwork, and leadership as well as research and technical skills. Teams work together to build a VEX robot to compete in tournaments, where they celebrate their accomplishments with other teams, friends and family. After the season, students come away with a “can-do” spirit, and an appreciation of science and technology and how they might use it to positively impact the world around them.

Haiti Earthquake Relief

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Dear Mr. Landstrom and SECME,

Thank you so much for your concern and words of comfort. Haiti has indeed suffered an extremely tragic event. Your support and assistance in the coming days, weeks, months, and years is definitely welcomed and needed, specially in helping to establish as soon as possible teaching facilities to prepare the Haitian youth for the rebuilding of their country. Any suggestions that you may have that can contribute to this will be welcomed.

Best regards,
Max E. Massac, P.E.
Director/Tr.
HAES

Sample Science Bowl Questions

The Department of Energy's National Science Bowl® is a highly publicized academic competition among teams of high school students who answer questions on scientific topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, earth, computer and general science. The teams are comprised of five students and a teacher who serves as an advisor and coach. The competition consists of a round robin followed by a double elimination final. The questions are multiple choice and short answer in the categories of chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, astronomy, and general, earth, and computer science.

Prizes are awarded to the top teams, and the winning team is invited to participate in the National Science Bowl. The NSB web site provides information for students, coaches, and volunteers.


Test Your Science Knowledge
Here are some sample questions in the categories of Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer, Earth Science, General Science, Mathematics and Physics.
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3

Haitian Help for Carribean Quake

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The tragic events in Haiti have surprised and saddened all of us. The island nation was the focal point of a magnitude-7 quake on Tuesday, January 12th. The death toll estimates from the earthquake are estimated at 150,000. We offer our condolences to the families affected by the disaster. And as SECME is as an organization dedicated to science, engineering, and math education, we have asked the Haitian-American Association of Engineers and Scientists, as a professional organization, what help we can offer. We anticipate that in the days to come this emergency will need the response equal in scope to the disaster. Our students, faculty and friends can supply need items: Snack food, Granola Bars, Cereal, tarps, ropes, cooking pots, utensils, towels, blankets, bottled water, cleaning products, new clothes, new shoes, canned food/flip open tops, canned pasta meals, garbage liners, shovels, buckets, rice, beans in 10-20 lb bags, cooking oil, peanut butter, batteries, flashlights, matches, Kotex, bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, washcloths, Band-aids, first Aid Kits, antibiotics, neosporin, gauze bandages.

Our thoughts will be with the Haitian-American community during the days of mourning ahead.

If you have questions, concerns and other suggestions, please contact:
- Bito David: david[at]palmbeach[dot]k12[dot]fl[dot]us, phone: (561) 963-6320
- Jimmy Peterkin: peterkinj[at]palmbeach[dot]k12[dot]fl[dot]us (561) 434-7323

T-shirts are in.

UPS delievered our tee shirts. Stop by Mr. Batchelor's room 7208 for yours.

Remarks by the President on the "Educate to Innovate" Campaign and Science Teaching and Mentoring Awards

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
January 06, 2010

Remarks by the President on the "Educate to Innovate" Campaign and Science Teaching and Mentoring Awards

East Room
1:46 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Please have a seat. Thank you.